Winnipeg Jets Lock Up Mark Scheifele With Massive 8-Year Deal

The Winnipeg Jets wanted to ensure Mark Scheifele was in their long-term plans and Friday they did just that. The Jets signed restricted free agent Mark Scheifele to an eight-year contract worth $49 million.

Scheifele, 23, had 14 goals and 27 points over last season’s final 21 games. Scheifele impressively scored nine points in nine games as Canada won gold at the 2016 IIHF world championship. Scheifele led Winnipeg in goals last season with 29 and his 61 points were second to only Blake Wheeler.

“Mark is an exceptional individual, he embodies so many of the things that we as an organization want to embody,” said Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff. “He embraces the community, he gives back to the community, he respects the game, he respects himself, there’s probably not a truer match for our organization than a player like Mark Scheifele.”

Scheifele just completed his 3rd season in the NHL after being drafted seventh overall in the 2011 NHLDraft.

Anthony DiMoro is the creator of Sports Rants and the CEO of Elite Rank Media. Anthony DiMoro is a Contributor for 'Forbes' where he talks Sports, SEO, Social Media and Internet Marketing. Anthony also hosts the 'Forbes SportsMoney Podcast' and is a Contributor to the Huffington Post where he covers sports